Lidl US names new CEO

Lidl U.S. has appointed a company veteran as its new chief executive.

Michal Lagunionek, a longtime Lidl executive based in Europe, is taking the reins as CEO of Lidl US from Johannes Fieber, who is resigning after three years in the role. Fieber, who is leaving in order to spend more time with his family, will exit the company in May.

"For millions of Americans, and indeed for me as well, this past year stressed the importance of family," Fieber wrote in a letter to employees. "Nothing is more important. I am immensely proud of our team’s work bringing greater stability and food access to families across our communities this past year. Now that the outlook in the United States has stabilized and brightened, I have decided to take a break from my career to spend more time with my wife and three little girls. I have missed being with them more during these demanding times."

Lagunionek brings 20 years of experience with Lidl to his new role. The change in leadership comes as Lidl, which operates some 11,200 stores in 32 countries, is revving up its U.S. expansion. Last August, the company announced plans to open 50 new U.S. stores by the end of 2021, bringing its total number of U.S. locations to more than 150.

Fieber was appointed CEO of Lidl US in 2018, succeeding Brendan Proctor, who had led the chain’s U.S. expansion since June 2015, when it established its U.S. headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.